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Chapter Nine
Martina leaned over Shelene as she lay in her bed and pressed a wet cloth to her forehead. Roman sat next to the bed, holding Shelene’s hand. “You ought to leave, Señor Forrester. She’s had quite a shock.”
Shelene moaned; her eyes fluttered. He tried to smile, something reassuring but she remained stuporous.
“When she wakes, fetch me. I will be outside the door.”
He exhaled deeply. There had been no grand plan to surprise her or delight her with his return. No jubilation as he swept her up in his arms. Oh, hell, that was exactly what he had hoped.
Roman stood at the balcony’s edge, leaning against a support pillar. The wrought-iron railing ran the length of the second floor, overlooking the interior courtyard where a large fountain tinkled with happiness. The fountain was singular in appearance, and he knew without asking that Shelene had designed it, probably made it too. There were five bowls with clear water, varying in size. The bowls were stained glass in a loose design—all shades of blue, put together with an artist’s eyes for harmony and beauty. He thought it must be spectacular with the sun shining into the courtyard.
The birdcages were covered, the finches quiet.
He watched the comings and goings of the household and its guests without being observed in return. Music still played in the background. Mayhap some of the guests did not yet know the significance of his arrival. A silly thought. Of course, the gossip would have spread like a grass fire in August.
He had just wanted to see her, to be home. Just like her father had. The whole event had been rather surreal, walking into a party with the inhabitants of the entire region in attendance. Then seeing all eyes on Shelene as she danced with some abandon on the stone tiles.
She’d looked happy. She’d looked as if she were amongst her people.
Her faced had gone white when she’d seen him. And then the slow faint as her eyes rolled back in her head.
There had been a number ofcaballeroswho’d muscled in to assist Shelene. Roman had the husband’s right. With a stern look, the Las Colinas seas had parted and Roman swept her up. Her dancing partner had looked heartily offended, but Roman ignored him, knowing the details would be laid upon his ears shortly.
If only Shelene would open her eyes and call to him.I am home, my love.
Almost a half-hour later, Martina eased through the door. “She’ll be fine, mi’lord. She’s not ready to see you yet.” Roman was impressed that Martina had not asked about her son, Joaquin, but she must have assumed that if Roman were alive and well, so was he. Martina was still the devotedduennahe’d known her to be.
He should have known the shock would have been great, but he had come and gone from her life several times and she had never fainted at the sight of him. She’d only gotten angrier over time.
“We thought you were dead,” Martina whispered.
“Dead?” Dead? Ah, thingshadchanged!
“Yes. You were gone for so long.”
“I want to see her now. Tell her I want to see her.”
“A moment, Señor Forrester.”
Martina peeked out the door again and waved him in. She then busied herself on the other side of the room while he hurried to Shelene and sat on the bed, clasping her hand.
“Shelene, my darling. I am sorry for the unannounced appearance.” He examined her face; still the beautiful woman she had been since the first moment she’d captured his attention.
“Oh my God,” she said. “It can’t be. Not after all this time.” She pulled her hand away from his. “Where’s Papa?” she asked.
“Shelene? Are you able to sit up?” Roman asked.
“I want to see Papa.”
“Martina, would you fetch him? He’s in the room across the hall,” Roman said. He was preparing to rest. For him, the months had been long and hard and the relief of being home had caused a wave of exhaustion. The emotion of seeing his daughter had been his undoing. Shelene’s aunt had taken charge of Hightower; no surprise since he’d been married to her sister for near thirty years.
Shelene rubbed her hands over her face, her fingertips against her eyeballs.
“What is it, Shelene? I told you I would come home.”
“You promised me we would be together. You promised.” She looked straight ahead. “Was I supposed to run into your arms? A ghost?”
“You’ve fallen in love with someone else?” he asked, thinking of the dandy who’d danced with her earlier on this long, strange night.
